Smurfs reboot finds German home

MIPCOM: A German children’s broadcaster has boarded the forthcoming 3D CGI-animated reboot of The Smurfs.

The new series of The Smurfs will consist of 11-minute episodes

KiKa will coproduce the series alongside previously announced broadcast partners Tfou in France and Ketnet and Ouftivi in Belgium.

It was announced last year that brand owner IMPS had teamed up with French animation firm Dupuis Audiovisuel and Peyo Productions to bring back The Smurfs.

The new series will consist of 11-minute episodes and is aimed at children aged five to 10.

The Smurfs originated in Belgium but shot to fame as a TV series that aired on NBC in the US on Saturday mornings from 1981, produced by Hanna-Barbera. The show follows more than 100 blue characters whose names are based on adjectives.

Dupuis Audiovisuel is a subsidiary of Media Participations, the European entertainment group behind titles such as The Garfield Show, Tintin, Asterix, Lucky Luke and The Red Turtle.

Last year The Smurfs had its most recent Hollywood movie release, Smurfs: The Lost Village.